Automatic speed-signaling and speedcontrolling system for automobiles and other vehicles



April 29, 1952 H s DAVIS 2,594,739

AUTOMATIC SPEED-SIGNAL'ING AND SPEED-CONTROLLING SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOBILES AND OTHER VEHICLES Filed Jan. 31, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet l 31 r z I0. 38 3O Z5 Z6 33 Z9 Z7 26 1 I o SPEEDOMETER o o 0 J ENGINE DRIVEN INVENTOR HENRY SPICER DAVIS BY gall.

ATTO R N EYS Apnl 29, 1952 H. s. DAVIS AUTOMATIC SPEED-SIGNALING AND SPEED-CONTROLLING SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOBILES AND OTHER VEHICLES Filed Jan. 31 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. lb. 99 11,0 J J I ELECTRIC CHIMES H29 130 -18LL 125 was I ,wo

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HENRY SPICER DAVIS ec m ATTORNEYS H. S. DAVIS A ril 29, 1952 2,594,739 AUTOMATIC SPEED-SIGNALING AND SPEED-CONTROLLING SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOBILES AND OTHER VEHICLES Filed Jan. 31 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 m: m No On- 02 On- On- On- On- On- On- On- 52 A NN NNV 56 mt m -w Om mFQ mum u: OO- mu QNQ on mfin mm m w 0 zmi mm m ww 000m mhmm Omhm mum o 00mm 00mm mma OOON on: mNQ 00m.

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AUTOMATIC SPEED-SIGNALING AND SPEED-CONTROLLING SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOBILES AND OTHER VEHICLES Filed Jan. 31 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 TO SPEEDOMETER FIG. a. B6

' ENGINE DRIVEN 83 lNvENToR HENRY SPICER DAVIS ATTORNEYS Apnl 29, 1952 H. s. DAVIS AUTOMATIC SEEED-SIGNALING AND SPEED-CONTROLLING SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOBILES AND OTHER VEHICLES Filed Jan. 31 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR HENRY SPICER DAVIS ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 29, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC SPEED-SIGNALING AND SPEED- CONTROLLING SYSTEM FOR. AUTOMO- eIp-Es' AND ornnn VEHICLES The present invention relates to improvements in speed systems for automobiles and other vehicles and relates more particularly to automatic speed-signaling and speed-controlling systems for automobiles and other vehicles; One of the objects of 'the'present invention is to provide a superior system of the character referred to wherein the signal given is determined by a predetermined relationship between the speed of the vehicle and the speed of its driving,

engine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a superior automatic signaling system having its components 'so' constructed and arranged that an intermittent signal is given mainly in response to changes in engine speed modifled, however, by the'then-existing vehicle speed. A further object of the present invention is to provide a superior automatic system of the char acter. referred to whereby an intermittent signal may be given; which signal increases from a relatively-low frequency to a relatively-high frequency within a relatively-small speed-range as the speed of the vehicle is increased above apredetermined rate. of speed.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide'a superior automatic system of the character referred to whereby an intermittent signalmay. be given, which signal increases from arelatively-low freql iencyv to a relatively-high frequency within arel'atively small speed-range as tne speed'of the engine'is increased above a predetermined rate'ofs'peed.

Still another obiect'of' the present invention is to provide a superior automatic speed-signalin system having its components'so constructed and arranged as to provide an'in'itial signal followed by. a second and morewa rresting signal "after the lapse of a predetermined time-interval from the start of this said initial'signal."

Another object of the present invention is to provide a superior automatic signaling system of the general character referred to and wherein means is provided whereby the starting of the giving of a signal may be caused to occur at see lected dilferent vehicle speeds. W

A still further. object of the present invention is to provide a superior automatic signaling sys tem wherein means is provided to automatically effect an'alteration in the vehicle speed at which a'signal will be caused to occur.

Other objects" and advantages will appear to thoseskilled in the art from the following, considered in conjunction with the accompanying dramfig'.

In the accompany n d awi in w ich eel: tain modes of carrying out the present invention are shown for illustrative purposes:

Fi s. 1a, lb, and 10 t ethe c ns tut a che: matic and diagrammatic illustration of one form wh c a speed+a1arm sys m. may sum n a cordance with the present invention;

Fi 2, is a detail sectional view t e on the line 22 of- Fig. 1a;

Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively perspective views of the two complemental cam-heads;

Fig. 5 is a schematic view'similar to but less comprehensive than Fig. 1b. and showing an electronic form of time-delay control which may be employed in lieu of the bimetallic time-delaycontrol'shown in the right central portion of Fig. 1b;

Fig. 6 is a chart'illustrating thespeed-relationships between various features of the apparatus when the constant-speed driv'e means is functioning at the lower of its two substantially-constant speeds;

Fig.7 is a chart similar to that shown in Fig. 6 but "showing the speed relationships when the constant-speed drive-means is functioning at the upper of its two substantially-constant speeds;

Fig. 8 is a schematic view similar 'to' Fig. la. but showing another form of mechanism which may be substituted for that of Figil'a';

Fig. 9 is a'detail eleva'tional viewof the control-cam and associatedparts' on a larger scale and looking in the direction of 'the arrow 9' in Fig.8;

'Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 but showing one of the control-cams moved about on quarter turn with respect to the other; and" Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken on the line ll-H0fFig.10.

One of the greatest tragedies of our age is the appallin'gly high 1ojs s cfli've's' and serious injuries, as well as the property 'da'r'riage which has been caused by the careless'operation' oi highspeed modern h ighway vehicles. The excessive speeds at which the modern vehicle is cons tent 1y driven, particularly uridercer'tain unfa rable and unsafe driving conditions, frequently results in disastrous accidents, and despite the'fact that much time; effort andexpense have been put into various types of traffic control' systems and an paratus, thedesired results'have notbeen attained and traffic accidents continue to increase and to becomemore severe In view er the above-stated conditions, th automatic speed signaling andspeed-controlling systemof this invention'hasbeen designed primarilyj for the purpose of influencing'the operator of a vehicle to operate the vehicle at speeds which are considered sale under the existing driving conditions, but without, however, imposing positive restrictions on the speed of a vehicle such as might create traffic hazards. More specifically, the present signaling system is designed to automatically alert an operator by means of audible signals of variable frequency, of an increase in speed above a safe driving speed and, further, to warn the operator, passengers and other of the fact that the vehicle is being driven at an excessive speed within a given speed zone. In this connection, the speed-signaling system of the invention is adapted to be set for different speed limits such as are met under normal driving conditions. The speed-signaling system is also designed to be responsive to control-means suitably located in a speed-restricted highway along which a vehicle is being driven, for the purpose of automatically conditioning the signaling-system to indicate speeds in excess of the maximum speed limit of the speed-restricted highway. Furthermore, the speed-signaling system of this invention is designed to effect an economy in the opcration of the vehicle and to reduce excessive wear-and-tear and abuse of the vehicle by providing the operator with an audible signal for indicating a change in a predetermined relationship between the speed of the vehicle and the speed of its driving engine.

The showing of Figs. 1a to 4 inclusive The particular speed-alarm system illustrated in Figs. 1a to 4 inclusive, for purposes of making clear one form which the present invention may assume, includes an engine-driven shaft l5 which may be connected in any suitable manner to the internal-combustion engine of an automobile or other similar vehicle or means of motor power. By way of example, the shaft may be connected to the distributor-shaft of an internalcombustion engine or to any other suitable part of the driving motor, though the connection referred to should be independent of any clutch employed in the vehicle so that it always responds to the engine speed regardless of whether or not the clutch is in or out.

The engine-driven shaft l5 has rigidly coupled thereto a worm l6 meshing into and driving a worm-wheel [1 which is pinned or otherwise rigidly attached to a shaft 18. Substantially midway of its length, the shaft [8 has ri idly attached to it a hub l9 rigidly carrying a radiallyprojecting stud upon which latter is mounted with freedom for rotation a bevel gear 2|.

The bevel gear 2| above referred to meshes into two similar but opposed bevel gears 22 and 23 respectively mounted on opposite sides of the hub I9 upon the engine-driven shaft 18 but with freedom for rotation with respect thereto.

The bevel gear 23 is integral with or otherwise made unitary with a spur-gear 24 which meshes into and is driven by a spur-pinion 25, as is indicated in Fig. la, rigidly mounted upon a vehicle-driven shaft 26 extending in parallelism with respect to the engine-driven shaft I8.

Rigidly secured to the vehicle-driven shaft 28 is an inner clutch-member 21 which, together with a cup-shaped outer clutch-member 28, form parts of a one-way clutch as will presently appear. The inner clutch-member 21 is provided on its periphery with a plurality of notches 29 (Fig. 2) the floor of each of which provides a tangential surface serving to clamp the adjacent one of a plurality of coupling-members 30 against the inner periphery of the flange 3| of the outer clutch-member 28 under circumstances as will hereinafter appear. The coupling-memhere 30 above referred to are, in the present instance, in the form of balls and adjacent each of the said coupling-members there is mounted in the inner clutch-member 21 one of a plurality of helical springs 32, each of which serves to yieldingly urge its complemental coupling-member 30 into the smaller end of the wedge-shaped space provided by a given one of the notches 29 and the adjacent inner surface of the flange 3|, all as especially well shown in Fig. 2. The construction and arrangement of the parts 21 to 32 inclusive (the one-way clutch-mechanism) is such as to permit the outer clutch-member 28 and the parts directly connected thereto to overrun or freely turn with respect to the inner clutch-member 21 in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figs. 1a and 2.

The outer clutch-member 28 is rigid with a spur-pinion 33 which, together with the said clutch-member, is free to turn relative to the vehicle-driven shaft 26. The spur-pinion 33 meshes into a spur-gear 34 which is mounted with freedom for relative rotation upon the shaft l8 before described. The spur-gear 34 has projecting from its inner face an. annular flange 35 which, in effect, constitutes an outer clutchmember in the same manner as does the flange 3| previously described and is complemented by an inner clutch-member 36 rigid with and forming a hub for the bevel gear 22 previously described. Interposed between the inner periphery of the flange 35 and the inner clutch-member 38 is one or more coupling-members 31 similar to the coupling-member 30 before described. The elements 35, 38 and 31 constitute a one-way clutch-mechanism corresponding to that provided by the previously described parts 21 to 32 inclusive but reversely arranged so that the spurgear 34 may overrun with respect to the bevel gear 22 in the direction indicated by the arrow on the flange 35 in Fig. 1a.

The spur-gear 34 abovevdescribed meshes into a spur-gear 38 and on different occasions (as will hereinafter appear) it drives or is driven by the said spur-gear 38. The said spur-gear 38 is mounted with freedom for rotation upon a motordriven shaft 33 extending in substantial parallelism with the shafts l8 and 28 above described. The spur-gear 38 just referred to is provided with a, rigid inwardly-projecting hub 40 which latter is formed in its inner end with a couplingnotch 4| which receives, with a sliding fit, a coupling-finger 42 which rigidly projects from a cam-head or control-member 43 mounted upon the shaft 39 with capacity for both rotary and axial reciprocative movements with respect thereto. On its face opposite its coupling-finger 42, the cam-head 43 is formed with two diametrically-opposite wedge-shaped cam-lugs 44-44 (Fig. 4) coacting with two similar cam-lugs 45-45 formed on the inner face of a cam-head or control-member 48 which complements the cam-head 43 previously described.

The cam-head 48 just above referred to is rigidly attached to the right end of the motordriven shaft 39 and, in turn, rigidly carries a worm-wheel 41. Encircling the hub 48 of the spur-gear 38 is a helical compression spring 48 which yieldingly urges the cam-head 43 toward its complemental cam-head 46 as is indicated in Fig. 1a.

Meshing into and driving the worm-wheel 41 is aworm 4.9 rigidly mounted upon a motor shaft 50 and extending at substantially a right angle with respect. .to the shaft 39. The motor shaft 50 may be an element of a fractional horse-power electric motor I of a suitable type which will provide substantially-constant speed for a given voltage impressed thereon.

Returning now to the vehicle-driven shaft, 25,, it should be noted, as indicated in Fig. la, that the right end .of the. said shaft may be connected to a speedometer of the automobile or other vehicle in order to drive the said speedometer, while the left end, of the said shaft 26 is connected by means of a flexible shaft 52 or other suitable means to the speedometer take-off mechanism indicated at 53 in Fig. 1a.. and forming a usual feature of automobiles and the like and thus requiring no detailed description herein. The said speedometer take-.ofi 53 is, as usual connected to the rear end of a gearshift-housing or transmission 54 and has projecting therethrough, the usual drive-shaft 55 extending rearwardly to the differential of the automobile or the like, and like the flexible-shaft 52 operable only when the vehicle is moving.

Mounted in the gearshift-housing 54 with capacity for reciprocation forward and back therein is a rod 56 carrying a gearshifting-slide 5'! forminga usual feature of an automobile transmission and constituting the first-speed and reversespeed slide thereof.

The gearshifting-slide 51 above referred to is modified inasmuch as it is provided respectively adjacent its rear and forward ends with a firs or low-speed notch 58 and a reverse-speed notch 59.

Mounted for reciprocation in the bottom wall of the gearshift-housing 54 is an actuating-rod 60 having its upper end rounded and held in engagement with the gearshifting-slide 5? by means of a helical spring 6|. The projecting outer end of the actuating-rod 60 engages with a flexible switch-arm 62 carrying a contact 53 adapted to engage with a fixed contact 64 under the inherent tension of the switch-arm 62, when the gearshifting-slide 51 is moved into either its firstspeed or reverse-speed positions. The contact 54 is mounted at the outer end of a relatively-rigid switch-arm 65 as is shown in the lower portion of Fig. 1a.

For purposes of description, we may return to the cam-head 43 indicated in the right central portion of 'Fig. a. A signal-control lever 56 is mounted adjacent the said cam-head and is hung for pivotal movement intermediate its respective opposite ends upon a pivot-pin 51. The upper end of the lever 65 is provided with a roller 68 engaging with the outer face of the flanged end of the cam-head 43. Below its pivot-pin 61 the lever 66 has, in turn, pivoted thereto an actua ing finger 68a'having its lower end normally engaged with an inclined cam-surface 6,3 of a spring-metal striker-arm I0 having its outer end rigidly secured in a stationary support II, and having its opposite end provided with a striker 12 adapted to engage with a gong I3 or other resonating member. Adjacent the lower end of the actuating-finger 68a, there is provided a stationarystop-pin a which is adapted to check the upward swinging movement of the outer portlon of the flexible striker-arm 70 after the same has been depressed and released by the actuatingfinger 68a in a manner as will hereinafter appear.

Normally engaged with the upper portion of the sie a e entr lev 6 is an n u t n fin er 14: mounted at the upp r end of. a. fle ib e switch.-

arm 15, ca ried by an nsulating-support. 1.61% is indicated in Fig. 1a.. 0n thes de opposite from he. fin the uppe end of the switch-arm I5 is provided with a contact TI adapted to be moved into engagement with a contact 18. at. the upper end of a flexible switch-arm 19 also Carried at itslower end by the insulating-support I6,

Opp ts c nta t 8., the sw t h arm 9 also carries a contact which is adapted to engage with a contact 8| mounted upon the upper. end o a f i tchrarm At. its. lower .01 v t e. w ch-arm 82 is supp d by th insula n support 16.

The central flexible switch-arm I9 of the group above referred to is connected by means of a :wire to al of a sto ge t ery 8 indited in Fiend having s o po te termina grounded as shown. Tapped into the. wire .83 J st referred to (F s- 1c) is a r 8, lea ingt the pivoted end of a manually-operable switchblade 86. The said switch-blade is adapted to coincidentally engage a contact 81 and a contact 88. The contact 8! may be connected by means, of a wire 89 to the ignition system of an automobile or the like.

Leading from the contact 88 jus above referred to is a wire 90 conne ed to on end. 0i a res sto 9| designed and adapted to limit the electrical energy supplied to the electric motor 5| before, described. The remaining terminal of the resister 9| is connected by means of a wire 92 to the pivot end of a manually-operable switch-blade 973 (Fig. 1a) engageable with a contact 94. The contact 94 is electrically connected to one ter-w n minal of the motor 5|, while the remaining ter:

minal of the said motor is grounded as indicated.

The switch comprising the switch-blade 93 and its complemental contact 94 are prefer-ably located in some concealed or unobtrusive portion of the vehicle so as to guard against theft of the vehicle in a manner as will hereinafter appear.

Connected into the wire 90 (Fig. 1c) is a wire 95 leading to the pivoted end of an armature 96 formed of magnetic material and having a com-v plemental contact 91. The said contact 91 is connected by means of a wire 98 to the fixed switch.- arm 65 previously described and shown in the, lower portion of Fig. 1a. The flexible switch-arm '62 complementing the switch-arm 65 is connected by means of a wire 09 to the wire 92 as is indi cated in Fig. 1c.

Tapped into the wire 99 just above reierred to is a wire I00 (Fig. 1c) leading to a contact [0| adapted to be engaged by a pivotal manually operable switch-blade I02. The pivoted end of the said switch-blade I02 is connected by means of a wire I03 to the wire 98 before described.

In addition to engaging with the contact I01, the pivotal switch-blade I02 is also adapted to coincidentally engage with a contact I04 having a wire I05 leading to one terminal of a signalelamp I06 which latter has its remaining terminal grounded as shown in Fig. 10.

Preferably and as shown in the upper right-. hand portion of Fig. 1c there is employed a mencury switch generally designated by the reference character I01 and having one of its, terminals connected by a wire I08 to the wire 98 and having its remaining terminal connected by means of a wire I00 to the wire 99, all as indicated in the upper right-hand portion of Fig. 1c.

The mercury switch I01 above referred to .is. mounted on the vehicle so as to be inclined up wa dl an r arw with respect the eto tie is. limb n a ateenh ll.

the said mercury switch will short circuit; or shunt-out the resistor 9| from the power supply to the motor I, or for purposes as will hereinafter appear.

Returning now again to Fig. 1a, it will be noted that the flexible switch-arm 82 is connected by means of a wire IIO to one terminal of an electromagnet III (Fig. lb). The said wire IIO also leads to an armature II2 adapted to be attracted by the electromagnet III, and engageable at its free end with a contact H3. The contact I I3 is connected by means of a wire I I4 to one terminal of an electrical signal, preferably in the form of a chime, and indicated in the upper left-hand portion of Fig. 1b by means of the reference character H5. The remaining terminal of the chime or signal H5 is grounded as shown.

The remaining terminal of the electromagnet II I just above described and shown at the left of Fig. 1b is connected by means of a wire IIIi to the pivotal end of an armature H1 and to one end of a bimetallic switch-arm II8. At its free outer end, the switch-arm H8 is provided with a contact II9 adapted to engage with a complemental contact I20 mounted at the free end of a complemental bimetallic switch-arm I2I which latter has its fixed end grounded as shown. Both of the bimetallic switch-arms H8 and I2! are of a type common in the art and, when heated, each is caused to flex toward the other to. thereby engage the contacts H9 and I20. For the purpose of indirectly heating the bimetallic witch-" arms H8 and I2I, there is provided two similar heating-coils I22-I22 connected in series and having one outer terminal connected to ground and the other terminal connected to the wire I I4.

Returning again to the flexible switch-arm 15 shown in Fig. la, it will be noted that the said switch-arm is connected by means of a wire I23 to the fixed end of a bimetallic switch-arm I24 indicated in the central portion of Fig. 1b adapted to engage at its free end, when heated, with a contact I25. The said bimetallic switch-arm is adapted to be heated by a heating-coil I26 having one terminal tapped into the wire I23 and its other terminal grounded as shown.

Connected by means of a wire I21 to the wire I23 is one terminal of an electromagnet I28 having its opposite terminal grounded as shown. Adjacent one end of the said electromagnet is an armature I29 adapted to engage with a contact I30 when the said electromagnet I28 is deenergized.

As is also indicated in Fig. 1b, a wire I3I serves to connect one end of a pivotal armature I32 and one terminal of an electromagnet I33 with the wire I23. The said electromagnet is adapted to attract the armature I32 and cause the same to engage with a contact I34 connected by means of a wire I35 to the wire 83 before referred to.

The remaining terminal of the electromagnet I33 just previously described is connected by means of a wire I36 to the fixed end of a flexible accelerator-operated switch-arm I31, as is indicated in the left central portion of Fig. 1c. The said switch-arm is provided adjacent its free end with a contact I38 which is adapted to be forced into engagement with a complemental contact I39 by the inherent tension of the switch-arm I31. Said contact I39 is mounted upon the outer end of a relatively-rigid switch-arm I40 which also has a contact I4I. The contact I4I i adapted to be engaged by a contact I42 mounted at the 8 outer end of a flexible switch-arm I43 as is indi-. cated in Fig. 1c. The relatively-rigid switcharm I40 has its inner end connected to ground as is indicated in Fig. 1c.

Interposed between the free ends of the respective flexible switch-arms I31 and I43 is a collar I44 formed of insulating material and rigidly mounted upon a throttle-plunger I45 controlling. in a manner usual in art, the throttle of the automobile or other vehicle. At its upper end, the throttle-plunger I45 is pivotally connected to the free end of an accelerator-pedal I45 pivoted at its lower end to a bracket I41 and urged to swing in a counterclockwise direction by means of a helical spring I48. It may here be noted that the tension of the spring I48 is stronger than the inherent tension of the flexible switch-arm I31, so that when the said accelerator-pedal is free of foot pressure, the flexible switch-arm will be flexed upwardly as shown in Fig. 10.

As is shown in the upper right-hand portion of Fig. 1b, there is preferably employed a mercury switch generally designated by the reference character I49 and having one of its terminals connected by means of a wire I50 to the wire I36 and having its remaining terminal grounded as indicated.

The mercury switch I49 above referred to is mounted on the vehicle so as to be inclined upwardly and forwardly with respect thereto so that when the vehicle is traveling downgrade on a relatively-steep hill, the said mercury switch will provide energy to the electromagnet I33 independently of the accelerator-operated switch-mechanism (Fig. 10). In other words, the mercury switch I49, under the conditions just referred to, will provide a complete circuit through the electromagnet I33 even though the contacts I38 and I39 (Fig. 1c) are open at the time.

As is indicated in the lower right-hand portion of FigJb, there is also employed an electromagnet I5I with which is associated an armature I52 which is pivoted at its left end as viewed in Fig. 1b. The right end of the armature I52 is connected by means of an insulating-link I53 to the outer or free end of a flexible switch-arm I54. Adjacent its free end, the flexible switcharm I54 just referred to is provided with a contact I55 which is normally out of engagement with a complemental contact I56 carried by the free end of a flexible switch-arm I51. Inwardly of its contact I50, the flexible switch-arm I51 is provided with a contact I58 which normally is in engagement with a complemental contact I59 carried at the outer end of a relatively-rigid switch-arm I60.

Located below the flexible switch-arm I51 is another flexible switch-arm IBI having its outer or free end coupled to the insulating-link I53 by being extended into a notch I52 in the latter, as is indicated in the lower right-hand portion of Fig. 1b. The said switch-arm I6I is provided with a contact I03 which is normally out of engagement with a complemental contact I64 carried at the outer end of a flexible switch-arm I05.

The respective inner ends of all of the switcharms I54, I51, I60, I6I and I65 are held in spaced relationship and insulated from each other by a suitable body of insulation indicated by the refercnce character I60 in the lower right-hand portion of Fig. lb.

The rigid switch-arm I60 previously referred to is connected by means of a wire I61 to the contact I25 which is cooperated with as preouter end of a supporting-member I80.

vlously described by the bimetallic switch-arm I24. A wire I68 serves to connect the flexible switch-arm I51 to one terminal of the electromagnet I previously described and which electromagnet has its remaining terminal connected to ground by means of a wire I69.

The flexible switch-arm I54 is connected by means of a wire I to a relatively-rigid switcharm I1I forming part of a manually-operable make-before-break switch generally designated by the reference character I12 in the lower lefthand portion of Fig. 1b.

The rigid switch-arm I1I above referred to. is provided with a contact I13 normally engaging a complemental contact I 14 provided on a flexible switch-arm I15 and forming part of the switch I12. The said switch-arm I15 also has a contact I16 located at the free end of the said switcharm and normally out of engagement with a complemental contact I11 carried on the free end of a flexible switch-arm I18.

The make-before-break switch I12 above referred to also includes a reciprocating pushbutton I19 which is guided for movement in the Said supporting-member I80 and the respective switch-arms I1I,-I15 and I18 extend in substantial parallelism with each other and have their 'flxed' ends spaced and insulated from each other by a suitable body of insulation indicated by the reference character I8I in the lower left-hand portion of Fig. 1b.

The make-before-break switch I12 is prefer ably installed at a location on the vehicle which is remote from either the operator or any of the passengers so as to require that the vehicle be stopped before its operation can be effected manually.

The flexible switch-arm I15 of the switch I12 is connected by means of a wire I82 to a wire I83 which extends intermediate the Wire 83 and the switch-arm I 8| at the lower right portion of Fig. lb.

The pivotal armature I29 previously described and shown as adjacent the electromagnet I28 in the central portion of Fig. 1b, is connected by means of a wire I84 to the wire I10. The contact I30 with which the armature I29 engages, is connected by means of a wire I85 to one terminal of an electromagnet I88 illustrated in the upper left-hand portion of Fig. 1c. The electromagnet I86 has associated with its respective opposite ends pivotal armatures I81 and I88.

The terminal of the electromagnet I88 opposite that to which the wire I85 is connected, is connected by means of a wire I89 to the armature I88 and to one terminal of a push-button switch generally designated by the reference character I90 and which is preferably located within the vehicle in position for convenient manipulation by the operator thereof. A wire I 9| connects the remaining terminal of the push-button switch I90 to ground as indicated.

The energization of the electromagnet I88 (in addition to discharging another function) 'will move the armature I88 into engagement with a contact I92 which is connected by means of a wire I93 to the switch-arm I 43 of the accelerator-operated switch. The energization of the electromagnet I89 also serves to attract the armature I81 so as to disengage it from a contact I94 with which it is normally engaged and into engagement with a contact I95. 1

The upper contact I94 adjacent the armature I81 is connected by means of a wire I98 to an electric horn or other suitable electrical audible 10 signal or visual signal I91 as indicated in the upper central portion of Fig, 1c. The remaining terminal of the horn I91 is grounded as shown. The wire I96 just referred to, is connected by means of a wire I98 to the flexible switch-arm I 18 of the make-before-break switch I 12 appearing in the lower left portion of Fig. 1b, and previously described. The pivotal armature I81 is connected by means of a wire I99 to the flexible switch-arm I65 previously describedand indicated in the lower right-hand portion of Fig. 1b.

The lower contact I with which the pivotalarmature I81 is adapted to engage when the electromagnet. I88 is energized, is connected by means of a wire 200 to an electromagnet 20I indicated in the central left-hand portion of Fig. 1c. The remaining terminal of the said electromagnet 20I is connected to ground as shown.

Mounted adjacent the lower end of the electromagnet 20I just above referred to is a pivotal armature 202 in turn pivotally connected at its outer end to a valve-plug 203 as is shown in the left-hand central portion of Fig. 1c. The said valve-plug is adapted to reciprocate in one wall of a valve-housing 204 so as to open and close a vent-opening 205 therein. The said valve-housing 294 also has a second vent-opening 206 which, like the vent-opening 205, opens to the atmosphere. The said vent-opening 206 has cooperating therewith a needle-valve 201 threaded into the wall of the housing opposite the vent-opening 208 but in axial alignment therewith. The needle-valve 201 may be adjusted toward or away from the vent-opening 208 to restrict or open up the same as desired.

The valve-housing 204 above referred to has communicating with it a duct 208 leading to one side of a diaphragm-housing 209 which latter is substantially bisected by a flexible diaphragm 2I 0 so as to; in effect, divide the said diaphragmhousing into two compartments. Connected into the duct 208 just referred-to is another duct 2| I which extends to and is in communication with the interior of a governor-housing 2I2 forming a well known feature of trucks and vehicles, and normally interposed between the carburetor and the intake manifold to limit the speeds of an engine or the like.

Mounted upon a diametrical shaft 2I3 is a but terfly-valve 2I4 mounted in the governor-housing 2I 2 and adapted to be turned therein to open and close the fuel-passage therein in a manner well known in the art.

The shaft 2I3 above referred to is supported in the governor-housing 2 I2 and carries a crankarm 2I5 which is connected by means of a link 216 to a piston-rod 2I1 mounted with capacity for reciprocation in the right side wall of the diaphragm-housing 209, and rigidly coupled at its inner end to the diaphragm 2I0. A spring 2I8 connected to the crank-arm 2I5 serves to urge the butterfly-valve 2I4 into its open po-" sition.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that when a fuel mixture is flowing through the gov ernor-housing 2I2, a vacuum will be created in the ducts 2H and 208, as well as in the valvehousing 204 and the portion of the diaphragmhousing 209 lying to the left of the diaphragm 2I0.

In conjunction with. the other features above described, there is employed a second makebefore-break. switch generally designated by the reference character 2|9 and indicated in the lower right-hand portion of Fig. 10. This switch 2 I9 is manually-operable in a manner as will be presently described, and is preferably located in the vehicle in a position convenient for manipulation by the driver thereof.

The make-before-break switch 2|9 just above referred to includes a relatively-rigid supporting-member 220 and flexible switch-arms 22|, 222 and 223, all extending in substantial parallelism with each other and connected together in insulated relationship at one of their respective opposite ends by a body of insulation as shown.

Mounted in the lower portion of the supporting-member 220 above referred to with capacity for reciprocation therein is a push-button 224 adapted to engage with the lower portion of the flexible switch-arm 22|, to engage the contact 225 thereof with a complemental contact 226 located at the lower end of the switch-arm 223. Inwardly with respect to its contact 226, the flexible switch-arm 223 is provided with a second contact 221, which normally is in engagement with a complemental contact 228 carried by the lower end of the intermediate flex ble switch-arm 222.

The flexible switch-arm 223 of the make-before-break switch M9 is connected by means of a wire 229 to the wire 83 previously described. The companion flexible switch-arm 22| is connected by means of a wire 230 to one terminal of an electromganet 23| indicated in the lower lefthand portion of Fig. 1c. The remaining terminal of the electromagnet 23| is connected by means of a wire 232 to a bimetallic switch-arm 233 which, when normal and when cool, is in engagement with a contact 234 connected in turn by means of a wire 235 to ground. The said bimetallic switch-arm 233 is adapted to be heated by a heating-coil 238 located adjacent thereto and having one of its terminals connected to the wire 235 and having its opposite terminal connected by means of a wire 23! to the wire 230 before referred to. Connected to the wire 231 just referred to by means of a Wire 238 is a signal-lamp 239 or other suitable electrical signal. The remaining terminal of the said signal-lamp 239 is grounded as shown. Also connected to the wire 23'! is one end of a pivotal armature 240 which is adapted to engage with a contact 24| when the electromagnet 23| is energized. The contact 24| is connected by means of a wire 242 to the wire 229 as shown in the lower left-hand portion of Fig. 1c.

Returning again to the make-before-break switch 2|9, it will be noted that the intermediate flexible switch-arm 222 thereof is connected by means of a wire 243 to an armature 244 which is adapted to engage, though normally out of engagement with, a contact 245. The said contact 245 is connected by means of a wire 246 to a signal-lamp 241 or other suitable electrical signal. The said signal-lamp has its remaining terminal connected to ground as shown. The armature 244 just above referred to is located adjacent the upper end of a magnetic core 248 on which are mounted, i coaxial relationship, an energizingcoil 249 and an energizing-coil 250 as shown in the central left-hand portion of Fig. 10. Both of the energizing-coils just referred to are adapted to magnetize the core 248, either singly or together, in a manner as will hereinafter appear. The upper terminal of the upper energizing-coil 249 is connected by means of a wire 25| to the 12 wire 246 and hence to the contact 245. The remaining terminal of the energizing-coil 249 is connected to ground as shown. It will be noted that the armature 96 previously described is located adjacent the lower end of the core 248 so as to be acted upon thereby.

The two terminals of the lower energizing-coil 250 on the core 248 are connected by means of wires 252 and 253 to a full-wave rectifier generally designated by the reference character 254- and shown at the central lower portion of Fig. 1c. The rectifier 254 is in turn connected to an induction-coil 255 which is designed and adapted to be mounted on the chassis of the vehicle adjacent the ground level thereof so that when passing over an alternating current inductioncoil mounted in the roadway, the induction-coil 255 will be energized and, by means of the fullwave rectifier 254 supply direct current to the energizing-coil 250 to which the wires 252 and 253 lead.

Operation of the apparatus 0] Figs. 1a to 4 inclusive \VHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT A STANDSTILL For purposes of making clear the operation of the automatic speed-alarm system above described and illustrated in the drawings in Figs. 1a to 4 inclusive, it is convenient to flrst assume that the automobile or other vehicle with which the system is associated is at a standstill and is not inclined sufficiently to permit the mercury of the mercury switch N11 to engage with the upper contact thereof. It may further be assumed that the operator of the vehicle has manually moved the switch-blade 88 into engagement with the complemental contacts 8! and 88 and also that the switch-blade 93 is in engagement with its complemental contact 94. Still further, it may be assumed that the transmission mechanism of the vehicle is in the neutral position and tho switch-blade I82 is out of engagement with its complemental contacts |0| and I04.

Under the conditions above described, the electric motor 5| will be energized through the circuit which includes the elements 83, 85, 96, 98, an, 9|, 92, 93 and 94. The electric motor 5|, for example, may be assumed to be constructed to 1'0 tate its shaft 50 at 3000 R. P. M. when a potential difference of six volts is applied to its terminals. The resistor 9|, which forms an element of the circuit just described, may provide avoltage drop which causes the electric motor 5| to rotate its shaft 50 at 2250 R. P. M., when in series with the said motor, as it is under the conditions here assumed for purposes of description.

The rotation of the shaft 50 of the electric motor 5| at 2250 R. P. M. will similarly rotate the worm 49 which, in turn, will rotate the wormwheel 41 at 112.5 R. P. M. Under the conditions just described, the cam-head 48 will rotate the cam-head 43 in the direction indicated in Fig. 1a at the above-stated rate of 112.5 R. P. M.

The rotation of the cam-head 43 will effect the rotation of the spur-gear 38, spur-gear 34, and the outer clutch-member 35 at 112.5 R. P. M. and thus drive the spur-pinion 33 and outer clutch-member 28 at 562.5 R. P. M.

It may now be assumed that the engine of the automobile or other vehicle is revolving at 1000 R. P. M. and hence below a pre-selected critical speed of 1125 R. P. M. Bodily rotation of the bevel gear 2| will thus be effected at 50 R. P. M. through the intermediary of the shaft I5, worm |8,worm-whee1 H and shaft la. The

bevel 'gear 2'2 and the in-her clutch-member $38 will be rotated at twice the rate i. e, 100 R. P. M.) -o fj-bodi-ly"-rotation of the bevel gear II and in the same direction, :since atthis time the bevel gear -23 will be held stationary "by the fiexible s'hai't 52, which is also stationary at this time -(the vehicle being at rest). Inasmuch as the rotation of the inner clutch-member 35 will be lessj(i. e., 100 R. P. M.) than the speed 112.5 '12.. B. M.) at which the complemental outer clutchemem'ber 35 is at this time being drivenby the motor 5I the outer clutch-member 35 will overrun the inner clutch-member 36.

Under the conditions above described, none of the alarm-means I3, H5 and I3! will be put into operation.

It may now be assumedthat the engine of the vehicle is caused to operate at 1375 R. .P. and hence in excess of the aforesaid critical speed of 1125 R. P. M. Under this condition, the

inner clutch-member 38 will run at 137.5 R. P. and hence in excess of the speed (112.5 :R. P. M.) at which the complemental outer clutch-member 35 has been driven by the motor 5|. The clutch-member 35 will now be driven by the inner clutch-member 36 at speeds with the contact 8'I effects the deenergiz'ation in consonanc'e therewith, rather than by the 1 motor 5 I. The outer clutch-member 28, spurp'inion 33 spur-gear 34, and spur-gear 38 will now' be driven by the engine of the vehicle instead of by 'the electricmotor 51 as previously, with the result that the cam-head 43 will be turned in the direction of the arrow in Fig. is at a speed of 137.5 R. P. M.

Now that the cam-head 43 is being rotated at a speed higher than the speed at which the cam-head, is being" rotated by the electric motor 5|, the resultant relative rotation will cause theQcam-lugs 44-44 and cam-lugs 45- 45 to coact to effect the respective axial movement of the cam-head 43. The axial movement of the cam-head 43 will be effected two times for each revolution of the said cam-head with respect to the companion cam-head 46 which, under the conditions now being described, will be at the rate of 50 cycles per minute.

As the ca1nhead 43 reciprocates as just de scribed, itwill effect the oscillation of the signal control lever 65, which latter, in turn, will cause the striker I2 to engage with the gong "I3 to produce an audible signal. The movement of the signal-control lever 66 will also flex the switch-arm I5 and the switch-arm 19 to substantially' concurrently move the contact I! into engagement with the contact I8 and the contact 85 into engagement with the contact 8|. By this action, electrical energy is supplied from the storage battery 84 to both the chime I I5 and the heating-coils I22I22 through the circuit which consists of the elements 83, I9, 80, 8|, 82, H8, I I2, I I3 and. H4. The energization of the chime II5 efiects' an audible signal. The energization of the heating-coils I22--I22 heats the bimetallic switch-arms H8 and I2I thereby causing the latter to distort andmove the contacts H9 and I28 into engagement. The engagement of the contacts I I9 and I 28 effects the energization of the electromagnet I I I, which will move the armature H2 out of engagement with the contact H3 and also move the armature II 1 into engagement with the ground.

The armature III and its ground constitute elements of a locking-circuit which maintains the energization of the electromagnet I II until such time as the contact 80 is movedout of energizing' the electric' horn signal I91.

oft-he 'electromagnet H I, thereby restoring the armature H2 into engagement with the contact I it and permitting the armature II! to move out of engagement with the ground.

It "will be understood that the above-described cycle of operation occurs for each 'cycleofoperationof. the axial movement of the cam-head If the operator of the vehicle shouldsma'inain therotation of the engine "at 1375 R. 'P. -M. while the vehicle is at a standstill, the chime H5 and the gong i3'will sound at the rate-.ofrSO timesperiminute.

It may now be assumed that the operator of he vehicle is maintaining the depression of the acceierator-pedal I43, thereby permitting the contact I33 to remain in engagement with its cc'mplement'al contact I39. The initial engage- -inent of the contact 1'1 with the contact It will energize'the 'electromagnets I 28 and I33 through the circuit which includes the elements 83, "I9, is, 73,15, I23, I3I, I36, I31, I38, I39 and I40. Thereafter, steady energization of the electromagnets I28 and I-'33 will be maintained through the locking-circuit controlled by the s'aidelec tromag-net I33 and which includes "the armature leacontact I34. The steady energizationof the electromagnet I28 will maintain the ar-ma-- ture I29 out of engagementwith'thecontactI30,

for purposes as willherein'after appear.

Coincidentally with the 'energization of. the electromagnets I 2.8 and I33, :the heating-.coil I28 will be energized, thuscausing'it toh'eat-thebimetallic switch-arm I24. If. the operator of the vehicle does not'restore the accelerator-pedal I48 to its idle position within the predetermined ti=me-interval of one minute, the bimetallic switch-arm I24 will distort sufficiently to causeit to engage with the contact'l'2 5, thereby complet ing the circuit to the electromagnet I5I.

The resulting energization" of'the electromag net' I5I will move the contact I into engage ment with the contact I56 which, in'turn, will flex the switch-arm I51, thereby also movingxthecom tact I58 out'of engagement with the contact I58. This operation establishes a locking-circuit for the energizati'on of th'e'electroma'gnet I5I, which locking-circuit includes'the elements 8 4, 83, I83, I82, I15, I14, I13, III, I18, I54, I5'5, I5Ii, I51, I88, I51, and IE9 to ground. The energizingecircuit through the bimetallic switch-arm I24 'and'the contact I25 is interrupted by' the above-described movement of the contact'l58 out of engagementwith the contact I59.

The above-described energization of the electromagnet I5I also moves the contact I63into engagement with the contact- Ii64 for the purpose of continuously (rather than intermittentlyren- Thee'n'er- 'gi'zing-circuit for the horn signal IIII includes the elements 84, 83, [83,181, I63, I64, I85, I88, I81, I94, I86 and horn signal I9I to ground. It will be readily understood that while the horn signal I9! is continuously energized for a very definite purpose, its continued operation cannot be tolerated by those within hearing. As soon as possible, the operator of the vehicle is practically idle position and to manually operate the pushbutton switch I90. The restoration of the accelerator-pedal I46 to its idle position moves the contact I38 out of engagement with the contact I39, thus effecting the deenergization of the electromagnets I28 and I33. By this deenergization of the electromagnet I28, the armature I29 is restored into engagement with the contact I30, which permits the operation of the push-button switch I90 to, in turn, energize the electromagnet I86 through the circuit which includes the elements 84, 83, I83, I82, I15, I14, I13, I1I, I10, I84, I29, I30, I85, I85, I89, I90 and I9I to ground. The energizationof the electromagnet I85 establishes a locking-circuit for the continued energization thereof, which locking-circuit includes the elements I88, I92, I93, I43, I42, HI, and I40 to ground.

The described energization of the electromagnet I85 will move the armature I81 out of engagement with the contact I94 and into engagement with-the contact I95, thereby deenergizing the horn signal I91 and coincidentally energizing the electromagnet 20 I. The energization of the electromagnet 20I attracts the armature 202, which results in the movement of valve-plug 203, thus closing the vent-opening 205 in the valve-housing 204.

The closing of the vent-opening 205 increases the vacuum on the left side of the flexible diaphragm 2I0. It will be readily understood that increase in speed of the engine of the vehicle will increase the degree of vacuum, and when a predetermined-speed thereof is reached, the opposing urged the spring 2I8 will be overcome and the diaphragm 2I0 will be moved to the left. This movement of the diaphragm 2I0 will effect movement of the butterfly-valve 2I4, to restrict the passage of motive fluid through the governorhousing 2I2, thereby reducing the speed of the engine of the vehicle.

As a logical next step in the operation of the vehicle, the operator thereof will operate the transmission-mechanism into the first-speed position. The resulting movement of the gearshifting-slide 51 will permit the actuating-rod 80 to i move inwardly in the transmission-housing 54 and into the first-speed notch 58, thereby permitting the flexible switch-arm 82 to move its contact 63 into engagement with the complemental contact 64. The engagement of the contact 53 with the contact 64 will short-circuit the resistor 9| of the energizing-circuit for the electric motor 5| through the path which includes the elements 95, 98, 91, 98, 65, 64, 63, 62 and 99.

Now that the resistor 9| is short-circuited, the total voltage of the storage battery 84 is applied to the terminals of the electric motor 5|, thereby effecting the rotation of its shaft 50 at the maximum predetermined rate of 3000 R. P. M., instead of at the rate of 2250 R. P. M. as under the conditions previously described. The rotation of the shaft 50 at the rate of 3000 R. P. M. will effect the rotation of the cam-head 48 and the cam-head 43 at the rate of 150 R. P. M.

The-just-described rotation of the cam-head 43 will rotate the spur-gear 34 and the outer clutch-member 35 carried thereby, at the same rate of 150 R. P. M., thereby permitting the bevel gear 22 and its inner clutch-member 36 to be rotated at a higher rate, but not exceeding 150 R. P. M. and without effecting axial movement of the said cam-head 43. The automobile or other vehicle being at a standstill, the maximum speed of the engine thereof will be 1500 R. P. M. instead of 1125 R. P. M., as previously described under the conditions when the resistor 8| was included as an element of the energizing-circuit of the electric motor 5|. As indicated in the chart of Fig. 7, the rotation of the engine of the vehicle at the rate of 1500 R. P. M. will effect the rotation of theshaft I8 and hence also the bodily rotation of the bevel gear 2| at the rate of 75 R. P. M.

It may now be assumed that while the vehicle is still at rest, the engine is caused to exceed the 1500 R. P. M. Under such conditions, the outer clutch-member 35 will again be driven by the inner clutch-member 38 and at speeds in consonance therewith. The outer clutch-member 28, spur-pinion 33, spur-gear 34, spur-gear 38 and cam-head 43 will again be rotated in relationship with the rotation of the engine of the vehicle, instead of by the electric motor 5|.

Now that the cam-head 43 is being rotated at a speed higher than that at which the cam-head 46 is being rotated by the electric motor 5|, the relative rotation thereof will cause the cam-lugs 4444 and cam-lugs 45-45 to coact to effect the axial movement of the cam-head 43 in repeating cycles. The axial movement of the cam-head 43 will effect the operation of the oscillation of the signal-control lever 66, thus causing the gong 13 and the chime II5 to give audible signals in the manner previously described. If the operator of the vehicle now should increase the speed of the engine to 1750 R. P. M. while the vehicle is still at a rest and with the transmission-mechanism in the first-speed position, the chime H5 will be energized and deenergized 50 times per minute in consonance with the cycles of axial movement of the cam-head 43. The further increase of engine speed to 1875 R. P. M. will ef fect repeating cycles of energization and deenergization of the chime H5 at the rate of '75 times per minute.

As previously described, the initial engagement of the contact 11 with its complemental contact 18 as effected by the axial movement of the camhead 43 will, in turn, effect the energization of the electromagnets I28 and I33, which energization will be steadily maintained by the lockingcircuit which includes the contact I34 and the armature I32.

The described energization of the electromagnet I28 will move the armature I29 out of engagement with the contact I30, thereby deenergizing the electromagnet I86. The deenergization of the electromagnet I86 will open its locking-circuit by the movement of the armature I88 out of engagement with its complemental contact I92 and will also permit the armature I31 to move out of engagement with the contact I and into engagement with the contact I94. The movement of the armature I81 out of engagement with the contact I95 will deenergize the electromagnet 20I, thus precluding the butterflyvalve 2I4 from being moved into position to restrict the flow of motive fluid to the engine of the vehicle. The engagement of the armature I81 with the contact I94 again effects the steady energization of the horn signal I91.

In order to effect the stoppage of the sounding of the horn signal I91, the operator of the vehicle will be required to restore the acceleratorpedal I46 to its idle position and to manually operate the push-button switch I90. The restoration of the accelerator-pedal I 45 to its idle position will move the contact I38 out of engagement with the contact I39, thereby effecting the deenergization of the electromagnets I 28 and I 33. By this latter action, the armature I 29 is aeesrse nal [91 and energizing theelectromagnet 2M.

. It may now be assumed that the operator of theyehicle desires to restore the speed-alarmsystern of the present invention to the conditions of operation which existed previously to'the ener iaauon or the eie trqmagnet l5l, which lattel. Willgbe caused by the operation of the engine at speeds in excess of predetermined maximum speeds, i. e. 1125 R. P. M. when the gearshift is in neutral, and 1500 R. P. M. when the said gearshift is in first or low speed. The operator may ow request an cc an 9 he-veh le P manually operate the push button I!!! of the makerbeiorer r eks tch "2 which cannotbe reached. from thE. '-'S.$@ to m th e tact.v [Tl into engagement with the contact i116 and also to move the contact I14 out of engagement with the contact H3. The said switch I12, ashasbeen before stated, is purposely located at a pos on rem te om all cc ants o h ehicle t us n es a n e d i r te ex u s o by one. o t e. le te in 0 1 o eee t th s d switeli .ll-Z- The desc ib d ngag men o the e t et l with the contact [16 will re-energize the horn s na le a df he movemen 9 h ee eet out of engagement with the contact I13 will deenergize the electromagnet 15! to thus restore the. lexible sw ehee ms 54 5 a Isl to the rma es tie s ii ei Pie b- The Pu ut on .19., s n w eVedi Q n e s r so. that th me eibe r rb k switch 2 may reassume its normal position, therebydeenergim in iliehorn signal I97.

WHEN THE VEHICLE Is MOVING FORWARD It may now be assumed that the transmissionmechanism of the vehicle is still in the first-speed position and that the vehicle is moving forwardly at a rate of for instance, M. P. H. under the urge of the'engine. The-forward movement of thevehicle'will cause the vehicle-driven shaft 26 to'be rotated in the directionindicated in Fig. 1a. "The spur-pinion 25 will be rotated in unison with the said shaft and will rotatethe spurgear 24 and hence also the bevel gear 23 Under the conditions above described, if the engine does not exceed 1750B. P. M., as indicated in the chart of Fig. 7, the electric motor 51 will continue to cause the cam-head 4 6 to continue to rotate the cam-head 43 and hence the latter will have no axial movement imparted to it. In 'view of the fact that there is no axial movement imparted to the cam-head 43 under the conditions just described, no signal will be given.

*It' may now be assumed that the engine is caused to operate at 2000 R. P. M., thoughthe vehicle still remains at 10' M. P. H. This condition can occur when the clutch is caused, for one reason or another, to slip, thus giving a disproportionately high engine speed compared to the forward speed of the vehicle. Under the conditions just referred to, the bevel gear 2| will he bodily rotated around the shaft [8 at 100 R. 'P. M. The described forward movement of the vehicle (10 M. P. H.) will cause the rotation of the bevel gear 23 at a rate of 25 R. P. as indicated in thechart of Fig. '7. I

The described bodily movement of the bevel gear 21 atlOO R. P. M. combined with therota- :tien 9f the beve ear 23 at.25,R. P.M win ca se the bevel gear 22 and its unitary inner clutch:- member 36 to be rotated in mee in direction, but in the present instance the rate of 175 R. P. M. Under these conditionsfthe cam-head 43 will be rotated at 175 R. P. throughthe mtermediar of the outer clutch rnernber 35, spurgear 34 and spur-gear 38. Now that the camhead 43 is being rotated at a speed higher than that at which the cam-head isbeing rotated R. P. y the electric motor 5l.,'the rela: tive rotation thereof will cause the cam-lugs 44 end elss -45 n es t efi the axial movement of the cam-head 43 inrepeating cycles and at the rate of 50 cycles per minute nd r the ereseie eeed tiee t e a i movement of the carnehead 43 will cause the g ong 13 en h hime 5 to un t ene e r e e es e minu e tim i d e't et h engine of the vehicle is operatingat the speedof 2090 R. P. M., wh' ethevehi cle is moving for wardly at but 10 ran,

A E previously d s be e niti l en a ement o the ontest 11 w h its eenielem n e eee it es fe te b h e iel e en n of the eem-heed 43 ll in tu efi e t e eeers eet en o the e emeei e s 28 eiie!3=t e ener e e w e s ea l main. ed. b tii 'iekne-ei e wh h iiieled s the eu et e '3 as the ntact [1 a .iie ns been w rees b the seuudiee. ei the ene en e him l5eseeeve se bea he e e ete e e v icle sheel eer s... h res ee i ne the a ce e at r-need. I 96 te ts i le 129+ siti w thin the predete mined t me-iet re ler en min te ther b movies the en eet '38. eat of en gement with its eemmnlemeute eee 139-, B h s se ien heeleetremeee ts .28 arid I33 will be deenergizedto thus prevent the energization of the horn signal I51.

It may new b ssumed th t he t teesmi s ene ni me t e vehi le i r e i to ts second.- snee i .Pesitieehe des ibed. r set n e t t nsmiss n meeheni m will, ause the co tac 63 t e ieved e t ef en a em t wi h itsjeozne m n a c n es 64 he eby rem rine the p e ieusi exi s e t-ei uitei the res stor 19! of t e eeers ine-e e i of the le t ic motor hee t iem e l w l thu be estored t ts. lower s e d o r tetie o 5 R- P- wh ch will aga n ause t e e mzh ad 1,4,6 tebe ro a at th ret 'e .2.1 31?- Unde t e sen, .tiens inst ebevedeseribed and w th the trees..- s enwmeehanism reset. nte. e q drsneed' res .ien itm fu t e be assume that the vehicle is. mov n fo wardly. jer 0. 15 so r anot e a e ds. i excess of the .10 M- r vi us y referred to Re erence to th cha t: of. F 6 will. rea i yshew thevarious en i e sneedse .eemnated to. ve icle sneedsat whi h no sig a s ven fe example, nozsignal wi b iven when, the ve icleis moving forward- .ly t 15M. P. until the. en ine. exceedsthe speedof 1500 R. P. M.

I may n w be s umed that.thetra smissiem mechanism has been reset into its high-speed or direct-drive position, and for'one reason; or. another, the vehicle is moving forwardly .at. .5.5 H.

Un he di ions ju tabovereferred t "the cam-headfiii will be turned bythe running-gear of the vehicleat a speed 01137.5 R. P. M. .and hence at a speed greater than.the;1l2.5 :R.;P.' a w i h the c mplemental ,camrheadaififi. is at his tim being driven by the electric motor. 51.

19 Under the conditions just described, the camhead 43, in addition to being rotated, will have axial movement imparted to it by its coaction with its companion cam-head 46 and at the rate of 25 cycles per minute.

Under the foregoing conditions, the gong 13 and the chime II will again be caused to operate at the rate of 50 cycles per minute, thus indicating that the vehicle is moving at the excessive speed of 55 M. P. H. Assuming that the operator of the vehicle continues to maintain the operation of the accelerator-pedal I46 to maintain the excessive speed of 55 M. P. H., the contact I38 will remain in engagement with its complemental contact I39 so that the initial engagement of the contact 11 with the contact 18 will effect the energization of the electromagnet I213. Thereafter, steady energization of the electromagnets I28 and I33 wil be maintained through the locking-circuit controlled by the said electromagnet I33, in the manner previously described.

The electromagnet IIII will again be energized one minute after the initial engagement oi the contact 11 with the contact I8, thereby causing the steady energization of the horn signal I91, all in the manner previously described.

In order to ettect the oeenergization of the horn signal I91, the operator of the vehicle will be re quired to (a) restore the accelerator-pedal I46 to its idle position; (b) decrease the speed of the vehicle below 45 M. P. H.; and re) manually operate the push-button switch I90. The restoration of the accelerator-pedal I46 to its idle position will again move the contact I38 out of engagement with the contact I39, thereby effecting the deenergization of the electromagnets I28 and I33. By this latter action, the armature I29 is restored into engagement with the contact I30, thus again permitting the operation of the push-button switch I90 to energize the electromagnet I86 for the purpose of deenergizing the horn signal I91 and energizing the electromagnet I.

Now that the vehicle is being operated below the present maximum unrestricted speed of M. P. H., it may be assumed that conditions develop which make it unsafe for the vehicle to be operated at speeds less than M. P. H. Therefore, the operator of the vehicle will operate the accelerator-pedal I46 to the position which causes the contact I42 to be moved out of engagement with the contact I4I, thereby effecting the deenergization of the electromagnets I88 and 20I. The deenergization of the electromagnet I86 again causes the immediate steady energization of the horn signal I91. The deenergization of the electromagnet 20I precludes the butterfly-valve 2I4 from being moved into position to restrict the flow of motive fluid to the engine of the vehicle.

The speed of the vehicle is now increased to the last-mentioned excessive speed of 50 M. P. H.,

thus causing the operation of the gong 13 and the chime H5 in repeating cycles in the manner previously described. As soon as conditions permit, the operator of the vehicle will (a) restore the accelerator-pedal I46 to its idle position; (b) decrease the speed of the vehicle below 45 M. P. H.; and (c) manually operate the pushbutton switch I90.

The decrease in the speed of the vehicle to below 45 M. P. H. will discontinue the operation of the gong 13 and the chime I I5. The restoration of the accelerator-pedal I46 to its idle position will again effect the deenergization of the electromagnets I2? and I33 in the manner previously described, thereby again permitting the operation 20 of the push-button switch I90, to energize the electromagnet I86 for the purpose of deenergizing the horn signal I91 and energizing the elec tromagnet 20 I.

It may here again be assumed that the operator of the vehicle desires to restore the speedalarm system to the conditions of operation which existed just prior to the energization of the electromagnet Ia'I, which latter was caused by the operation of the vehicle at the excessive speed of M. P. H. as previously described. The operator will now cause the vehicle to be stopped and will also reset the transmission-mechanism from its direct-drive position to its neutral position. Thereafter, the operator will manually operate the push-button I19 of the make-beforebreak switch I12 for the purpose of deenergizin the electromagnet I5I, in the manner previously described. The operator now releases the push button I19 so that the latter reassumes its normal position.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that when the vehicle moved forwardly at speeds in excess of the present maximum unrestricted speed of 45 M. P. H., the alarm-signal was sounded by means of repeating cycles of operation of both the gong 13 and the chime I I5. It will also be noted that it was necessary for the operator to restore the acceleratoredal I46 to its idle position within the predetermined time-interval of one minute to prevent the steady energization of the horn signal I91.

It may now be assumed that the operator has again started the vehicle and has caused its speed to increase to 40 M. P. H., without, however, coincidentally causing excessive speed of the engine, thereby preventing the sounding of the gong -I3, chime I I5 and horn signal I91. Now that the vehicle is moving forwardly at 40 M. P. H., the operator decides that conditions are such that it is safe for him to have the vehicle move forwardly at speeds above the first critical speed of 5 M. 'P. H., but not in excess of the second critical speed of M. P. H., without requiring that he be signaled as before described. This the operator may accomplish by manually shifting the switch-blade I02 (upper right portion of Fig. 1c) into engagement with its complemental contacts WI and I04.

The shifting of the switch-blade I02 as above described short-circuits the resistor 9| of the energizing-circuit of the electric motor 5|, with the result that the said motor operates at the upper of its two substantially-constant speeds. namely, in the present instance, 3000 R. P. M. The increased R. P. M. just referred to again causes the cam-head 46 to be rotated at R. P. M., thereby serving to drive the cam-head 43 at this speed unless the speed of the engine or the speed of the vehicle drives the said camhead 43 at speeds in excess of the said 150 R. P. M. The rotation of the cam-head 46 at 150 R. P. M. permits higher speeds of the engine relative to the speeds of the vehicle, and also permits speeds of travel of the vehicle not in excess of the second critical speed of 60 M. P. H. rather than not in excess of the first critical speed of 45 M. P. H., without causing the operation of the gong 13, chime I I5 and horn signal I91. The maximum engine speeds at various speeds of the vehicle below which no signals are given, are those indicated in the chart of Fig. 7. By way of example, 2750 R. P. M. is the maximum engine speed when the vehicle 21 is moving at 50 M. P. H. to insure that no signal will begiven.

The shifting of the-switch-blade we as above described also will eiiect the steady energize.- tion of the signal-lamp I06 for the purpose of indicating both inside and outside of the vehicle that the speed-alarm system is adjusted to permit the above-mentioned higher speeds of operation of the engine and the vehicle without causingsignals to be given.

With the foregoing setting, let it now be assumed that the speed of the vehicle exceeds the newly-set unrestricted maximum speed of 60 M. P. H. As soon as this occurs, the speed of the vehicle-driven cam-head 43 will exceed that of the motor-driven cam-head 46, whereupon the said cam-head 43 will have axial movement imparted to it, with the result that the gong 13 and the chime H will be caused to operate in repeating cycles, which increase in frequency as the speed of the vehicle further increases over the said 60 M. P. H.

Having been warned by the operation of the gong 13 and the chime H5 as just described, the operator of the vehicle will permit the restoration of the accelerator-pedal [46 to its idle position within the predetermined time-interval of one minute, thereby preventing the energization of the ,horn signal I9! in the manner previously described.

Let it now be assumed that with the mechanism reset as previously described, the vehicle is caused to travel into a restricted-speed zone of the highway at the speed of 55 M. P. H. (above the first critical speed of 45 M. P. H. and below the second critical speed of 60 M. P. H.). Obviously, the speed-alarm system should have been reset to permit only the low speeds of the engine relative to the speeds of the vehicle, and also to permit speeds of travel of the vehicle not in excess of the first critical speed of 45 M. P. H. rather than not in excess of the second critical speed of 60 M. P H., without causing the operation of the gong 13, chime H5 and horn signal I91.

For the purpose of overcoming the forgetfulness of the operator, the induction-coil 255 is provided, together with its rectifier 254 and connections. If the speed-restricted highway along which the vehicle is being driven is provided with a primary induction-coil suitably located and energized, it will induce in the induction-coil 255 analternating current which will be rectified by the rectifier 254 into direct current. Direct current supplied by the rectifier 254 will energize the energizing-coil 250, thus magnetizing the core 248. The said core 248 when magnetized will. attract both the armatures 96 and 244. The movement of the armature 244 will cause it to swing into engagement with the contact 245, thereby energizing the coil 249 and thus continuing the magnetization of the core 248. In addition to continuing the magnetization just referred to, the engagement of the armature 244 with the contact 245 will also have energized the signal-lamp 241. The energization of the signallamp 241 will indicate to the operator of the vehicle that he has entered a restricted-speed zone.

The described attraction of the armature 96 by the core 248 will have simultaneously disengaged it from the contact 91, thereby cutting out the short-circuiting of the resistor 91. The resistor 9| now having become fully effective, will now .restoretheelectricmotor 5| to the lower of its two substantially-constant speeds, namely,

. 22 in the present instance, 2250 RpP. M. "Under the conditions just described, the electric motor 5| will efiect the rotation of the cam-head 46 at the lower of its two rates of speed, namely, 112.5 R. P. M. For purposes of convenience, let it be assumed that the speed of the vehicle is being maintained at the previously stated 55M. P. H. (above the first critical speed of M. P. H. and below the second critical speed of 60 M. P. H.) in which case, the cam-head 43 will be rotated in the manner previously described at the rate of 1375 R.P. M. which is a rate corresponding to the R. P. M. of the driven gear 22, as is indicated in Fig. 6.

Under the conditions just above described, the cam-head 43 will be rotated at a rate of speed higher than that at which the cam-head 4B is beingrotated by the electric motor 5|, and'the relative rotations between the two said-camheads will againcause the cam-lugs 44- 44 and the cam-lugs 45-45 to coact in such manner as to effect the axial movement of the cam-head 43 in repeating cycles. The axial movement of cam-head 23 will again effect the oscillation of the signal-control lever 66 thus causing the gong I3 and the chime H5 to give audible signals in the manner previously described. Under the present circumstances, the chime H5 will be intermittently energized times per minute in accordance with the cycles of axial movement of the cam-head 43 to thus indicate the still excessive speed of the vehicle, namely, M. P. H.

As previously described, the initial engagement of the contact H with its complemental contact "it! (as effected by the axial movement of the cam-head 43) will, in turn, effect the energization of the electromagnets I28 and I33,

which energization will thereafter be steadily maintained by the locking-circuit which includes the armature E32 and contact I34. Here again, having been warned by the operation of the gong 73 and the chime H5 as just described, if the operator of the vehicle desires to prevent the steady energization of the horn signal I91, he will be required to (a) permit the acceleratorpedal I43 to return to its idle position within the previously-mentioned predetermined timeinterval of one minute and (b) reduce the speed of the vehicle below 45 M. P. H.

It may now be assumed that the operator of the vehicle has carried out the requirements (a) and (1)) just above referred to, and that the vehicle has come to the end of the speed-restricted section of the highway and has passed onto another section thereof where conditions permit the movement of the vehicle to the maximum unrestricted speed of M. P. H. Under these conditions, the operator will desire toremove the speed restrictions imposed by the rotationof the shaft 5!! of the electric motor 5| at its lower rate of speed of 2250 R. P. M. To remove these limitations, the operator momentarily pushes inwardly on the push-button 224 of the makebefore-break switch 2 I9 to thereby move the contact 225 thereof into engagement with the contact 225, and also move the contact 221 out of engagement with the contact 228.

The above-described engagement of the contact 225 with the contact 226 will effect the energization of the electromagnet 23I through the circuit which includes the elements 83, 229, 223, 228, 225, 22!, 239 to 235 inclusive. The described energization of the electromagnet 23! will establish .a lock n -circu t which includes the armature 240 and the contact 24!, thereby maintaining the steady energization of the electromagnet 23I, signal-lamp 239 and heatingcoil 236, after the operator has released the push-button 224.

The described energization of the signal-lamp 239 will serve to indicate both inside and outside of the vehicle that the alarm-system is adjusted for its maximum unrestricted speed of 60 M. P. H.

The described movement of the contact 221 out of engagement with the contact 228 will interrupt the energizing-circuit of the energizingcoil 249 to thus permit the armature 96 to be restored to engagement with the contact 91, and also permit the movement of the armature 244 out of engagement with its complemental contact 245. The described re-engagement of the armature 96 with the contact 91 will again shortcircuit the resistor SI of the energizing-circuit of the electric motor I to thus cause the latter to resume the higher of its two speeds (3000 R. P. M.) and thus effect the rotation of the cam-head 46 at its higher rate of 150 R. P. M. instead of its lower rate of 112.5 R. P. M. This higher rate of speed, as just described, will permit the unrestricted travel of the vehicle to the maximum speed of 60 M. P. H.

The last described energization of the heatingcoil of 236 will effect the heating of the bimetallic switch-arm 233. The heating of the bimetallic switch-arm 233 for a time-interval of about two minutes will serve to distort the same out of engagement with the contact 234, thereby deenergizing the electromagnet 23I to thus permit the armature 246 to move out of engagement with the contact 24!. The described movement of the armature 240 will, in turn, deenergize the signal-lamp 239 as well as the heating-coil 236. In due course, the bimetallic switch-arm 233 will cool and return to engagement with the contact 236 but at this particular time, the said closing will be ineffective inasmuch as the armature 240 will have moved out of engagement with the contact 24I.

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS .iscENDING A GRADE As previously described, the mercury switch I01 or its equivalent is designed and adapted to close the circuit through it when the vehicle is ascending a grade and for purposes of description, it may be assumed that the said mercury switch I61 does not close the circuit through it until the vehicle is climbing an appreciable grade such, for instance, as a grade.

When the vehicle is sufiiciently tilted to cause the mercury switch I01 to close the circuit through itself, the said switch will (assuming that, as is normal, the switch-blade I02 is out of engagement with its contact IOI) short-circuit the resistor 9| of the energizing-circuit of the electric motor 5| thereby restoring the speed of the said motor to its second stage or maximum speed of 3000 R. P. M. The described increase in speed of the motor 5I will, under the present conditions, permit the engine to revolve at a much higher rate of speed than previously before the signaling-system will give a signalall as indicated in Fig. 7.

WHEN THE VEHICLE Is MOVING DOWNGRADE For the purpose of making clear the utility of the mercury switch I49 (upper right-hand portion of Fig. 1b), it may be assumed that the vehicle is descending a grade of sufiicient slope which, in itself, would cause the vehicle to overspeed when the operator has thrown out the cumstances, be discontinued until the described down-tilt of the vehicle has changed to a level or lesser tilt such that the mercury switch I69 will open the circuit through it.

The disclosure of Fig. 5

The primary purpose of Fig. 5 is to illustrate an alternative form of time-delay control to be used in lieu of the bimetallic switch-arm I24 and its associated features.

Fig. 5 save as to the time-delay control corresponds to Fig. lb, save as to the said bimetallic switch-arm and its associated features and the omission of the two flexible switch-arms I6I and I65 which are under the present circumstances no longer required and the fact that the makebefore-break switch I12 has been omitted for lack of room.

The wire I23, instead of terminating at the bimetallic switch-arm I24 (the latter having been replaced), extends to the pivoted end 01 an armature 256 which is adapted to engage with the contact I25 at the adjacent end of the wire I61. The armature 256 is adapted to be moved into engagement with the contact I25 by an electromagnet 251.

The electromagnet 251 has one of its terminals connected by means of a wire 258 to one terminal of a battery 259 which has its opposite terminal grounded as shown.

Tapped into the wire 258 is a wire 260 leading to a contact 26I located adjacent the upper end of the electromagnet I28 previously described. The contact 26I is adapted to be engaged by the swinging end of a pivotal armature 262 which has been added adjacent the upper end of the electromagnet I 28 in position to be attracted thereby simultaneously with the attraction of the armature I29. When the electromagnet I26 is not energized, the armature 262 engages with a contact 263 leading to ground.

As indicated in Fig. 5, the pivoted end of the armature 262 is connected by means of a wire 264 to ground but has interposed therein two resistors respectively designated by the reference characters 265 and 266 together with a condenser 261.

Connected to the wire 264 at a location intermediate the resistor 265 and the condenser 261 is a wire 268 having a resistor 259 interposed therein and leading to the control-grid of an electronic discharge-tube of the triode type and generally designated by the reference character 210. The electronic discharge-tube 210 is preferably of the vacuum type. though a gas-tilled tube may be utilized for the same purpose.

Connected to the lower portion of the wire I23 previously described is a wire 21I leading to one terminal of the filament of the electronic discharge-tube 210the opposite terminal of which filament is grounded as shown. A wire 212 serves to connect the plate of the tube 210 to the remaining terminal of the electromagnet 251 as is indicated in Fig. 5.

In the showing of Fig. 5, the flexible switch- 

